Long-range torpedo.



l. S. IOHNSTON.

LONG RANGE TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. I9I5.

l ,272,964. Patented July 16, 1918.

INVENTOR JA M56 J. I/O/-/VJT/V ATTORNEY l. S. JOHNSTON.

LONG RANGE TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.29,1915.

INVENTOR JA MES S. JOHNSTON ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

JAMES s. JOHNSTON, oF ETICA, NEW YORK.

LONG-RANGE TORPEDO.

Application filed March 29, 1915.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES S. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Long-Range Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to a long range torpedo, and I declare the following to be a full, clear, concise and exact description, suficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient torpedo, that is adapted to travel long or short distances in any given direction through the water, as determined from its initial or starting position by the hands of lthe operator. Furthermore, the torpedo is so constructed, that the same will advance submerged at any desired depth or upon the surface of the water to a given object, which it will destroy immediately a contact is effected.

'Ihese objects will be understood by referring to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the torpedo;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the torpedo, `showing the central casing in section and the guiding frame removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a switch handle employed;

Fig. 4 is a. front elevation, enlarged of the torpedo, showing the guiding frame removed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a rod in fragment, and certain members mounted thereon, which are employed;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a sleeve used;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of a clip used in connection with thc sleeve in Fg- 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a nut employed;

Fi 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing a vertical section of the rod and nut of Figs. 5 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modified form of the device;

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Serial No. 17,591.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing a vertical section of the forward end of the modified construction;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section of the motor and immediate parts connected therewith;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the battery and contact bars;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective a contact bar.

Referring moie particularly to the drawings, the torpedo embodies a rod 1, which extends the entire length of the same and has mounted to its front end a conical cap 2. Adjacent the cap 2, mounted upon the rod -1-, there is a bearing 3 having a hanged sleeve l, integral with the forward conical casing 5, forming a chamber for the storage of dynamite, gun cotton, or other highly explosive material. The chamber formed by the casing 5 is inclosed by the wall 6 having a central aperture for the passage of the rod 1-, and a circumferential flange 101, adapted to form a shoulder for thc assembling of the corresponding edge of the cylindrical casing 7. The opposite edge of the casing 7 is assembled to the end wall S, which also has a circumferential flange 9 to form a shoulder for the purpose.

Within the chamber 10 formed by the casing 7 and its contiguous walls 6 and 8, is disposed the propelling or motor power of the torpedo, comprising the battery 11, co1inected to the motor 12 by the insulated wires 13 and 14. The battery 11 has a central aperture 15 for the passage of the rod -1-. So, too, the motor 12 has a central aperture 16 for the assembling of the hollow shaft 17 of the motor 1Q. The rod -1- has a loose bearing within the hollow shaft 17 whereby it is free to turn independent thereof. To one end of the hollow shaft 17 of the motor 1Q, there is keyed or mounted to turn therewith, the spur gear 20 in mesh with the spur gear 21, rigidly secured to turn with the shaft 2'2 having a bearing in the lower portion of the hanger 23 whose upper end has a bearing upon the rod -1-. The shaft 22 also supports to turn therewith, the spur gear 24 in mesh with the spur gear 25 integral with the wall 6, and loosely mounted upon the rod -1-. The train of gears, described, namely gears 20, 21, 24 and 25 transfer the rotary motion of the hollow motor shaft 17 from that shaft to the wall 6 of the casina 5, thereby permitting the vhollow shaft 17 of view of the motor 12 to serve as a bearing for the rod v-1-. In order to prevent the gears21 andl 24 from revolving around the gears 20 and 25, there is employed an extension of the shaft 22 having a ball 30 loosely mounted upon its outer end and engaging a recess or socket 31 in the lower portion of the motor 12. The hollow shaft 17 of the motor 12 supports on the end opposite to that of the spur gear 20, a fly wheel 3 2.

`The motor 12 and the battery 11 are each attached to the base 33, which is weighted, whereby to hold vby force of gravity, the motor 12 and the battery 11 in given position or from turning around with the casings 5 and 7. The base 33 has secured theretoa bracket 34, forming a bearing for the.

rod 1, and is slightly elevated above the inner surface of the casing 7, so that Said Casing 7 can rotate freely without touching said base The battery wires 13 and 14 are attached to the battery 11 by means of the screws 35-35 which engage and hold the ends of the copper .contact bars 36-36 in position. The ends ofthe bars 36 are bent down at right anglesin a depending manner, adapted" to be simultaneously engaged yby the copper contat bar 37, fastened to the insu'lated bar 38, secured to the insulated arm 39,jhavi'ngan orifice 40 for the passage of a screw 41,' threaded to the movable block 42, slidingly mounted upon the bar 1. The contact of thebar 37 with the ends of the bars 36 completes the circuit through the motor 12, whereby the motor shaft 17 is revolved andA its rotary motion transmitted by means ofthe gearsf20, 21, 24 and 25 to the wall 6 of the conical casing 5, so as to compel said casing 5 and casing 7 to revolve therewith. The block 42 is held normally against the sleeve 47 by the spring 46 coiled about the rod` k1- and bearing 'at one end against the bracket 34and at the other end against the block 4 2. The block 42 may be moved along the rod -1-, whereby the contact .bar 37 will bewithdrawn from the ends of the contact bars 36 by the sleeve 47, `slidingly mounted upon the rod -1- and having the diametrical slot .48 Afor thereception of the clip 49 adapted to be projected through a longitudinall recess 50 in the rod -1- andheld in place by the cotter pins 103.

The rear `edge of the clip 49 is engaged by theend `o f the rod51 lying loosely in .the centr-al aperture 52 formed in the rod -l-. The rod 51l is actuated in a longitudinal manner, whereby to move the sleeve 47 by the.,-.t1 1d0f `tl1,switch handle 53, adapted to beinserted into the recess V 54 ,of the nut 55, Whichrecess 54, although of .smaller diameter, alines withthe recess 52 -of the rod l-1.--- The switch handle 53 can :beheld in assembled position, whereby the vcontact will remain broken, as shown in full lines in Fig.

2a by' the yielding prongs 56' integral with .the Vnut 55, which prongs are so constructed,

` as to ride over and Lengage the depression between the ball 57N and the knurled finger piece 58.

The conical casing o is provided with a.

' spiral propeller 60 adapted to force or rather tightened against the end surface of the flange sleeve",6 2, integral with the wall 8, to

draw the rod '-1- and the assembled 'parts Y tightly together:

The anged sleeve 4 of the conical casing 5 and the lianged sleeve 62 form bearings for Ithe mounting of lthe frame v65, which vis held upon said'fparts by the bearing clips 66, fastened to the frame 65 by the bolts 67. The frame 65 has a lower member `68 disposed at anv incline for readily cutting the water and' is weighted somewhat heavier than theupper member 69, whereby to hold theY frame `by gravity Ain .vertical position. The frame65 also serves the useful function of guiding or piloting the torpedo in a straight path. The apertures'.70l formedrin the frame 65 are intended Vfor fastening mines to the torpedo. Said mines being attached by Wires that 'pass through .the apertures 70. These mines contain highly explosive materials and A are intended to de@ stroy any object with which they come in contact.

The operationof the torpedo is :effected by .pulling rearwardly upon the switch handle 53 to thereby remove the same and permit vthe bar 37 to contact with the ends of the bars'36. This Contact being made, the motor 12 will vcause the shaft 17 to revolve and thereby turn the gears y20, 21, 24 and 25. As the gear 25 is integral with-the wall 6 of the casing 5, the same together with the casing 7and end wallS will revolve and thereby cause the spiral propeller 60 to vdraw thetorpedo through the water. Im mediately the cap 2 or .other portion of the torpedo comes into contact with an object, such as. a ship or mine, lthe impact will cause the torpedo to explode and destroy said object. The-,outer .end of the cap 2 may be connected by a Wire .ruiming through' a central recess 102 in the bar -1 with the batteryv 121., whereby .t0 Cause a .Spark through the aperture 100 in the forward chamber t0 expledethe een @Otten immediately the y said cap2 makes ka contact with any object. Figs. 1 0 and 11 illustrate-a certain modification with respect to the l.n ionnting of the forward conical casing 5, here numbered 80. The casing 80 has a tight bearing at 81 upon a sleeve S2 mounted loosely upon the rod --1-, passing through the device as in the former construction. The chamber 83 formed by the casing 80, is divided off by a wall or partition 8a having a cent-ral aperture for the passage of the sleeve 82 and is open at its free end. The casing 85 is so disposed as to permit its forward end 86 to lie adjacent the free or open end f the conical casing 80, but yet not conta-ct with the same. The gear ris, connected to turn.

with the sleeve 82. A gland or stufing box S7 is used to prevent leakage into the chamber 83. The hanger 3 is fixed to the casing S5 by a lug 8S, integral with the said casing 85 and projecting into a recess in the hanger 23. The rod 1- has bearings in the sockets 90-90 of the frame 92 and is held from turning by the pins 93-93- The frame 92 has the apertures 94 for the attachment of mines. The rear end of the casing 85 terminates in a conical casing 95. In this construction the forward conical casing 80, provided with the spiral propeller 96 is the only part that revolves, the other parts remaining stationary. In all other re spects this construction is similar to the former.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

l. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a conical forward end having a chamber stored with an explosive, a spiral propeller secured to said conical forward end, and means for revolving said spiral propeller, whereby to move the torpedo through the water.

2. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a conical forward end having a spiral propeller attached thereto, a motor for revolving said conical forward end, a battery for energizing said motor, bars attached to said battery, a movable bar adapted vto contact with said bars attached to said battery, whereby to make a circuit through said motor, and means for making and breaking said circuit at will.

3. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a rod extending through said casing, a motor, a

batter' a recess in said rod, a switch adapted to be inserted in said recess, whereby to break the electrical connect-ions of said battery with said motor, and means for holding said switch in said given position.

4. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a rod extending through said casing, a motor, a battery, a hollow shaft mounted on said rod, bars attached to said battery, another bar adapted to engage said bars attached to said battery, and means for making and breaking the Contact.

5..,In a longrange torpedo, a casing, a rodVV extending through said casing, a motor, a battery, bars attached to said battery, another bar adapted to make contact with said first named bars,1 means for normally holding said second named bar in contact with said first named bar, and a switch for breaking said contact.

(3. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a conical forward end having a spiral propeller attached, a motor, a rod, a hollow shaft mounted upon said rod, said shaft having a bearing in said motor, means for electrically energizing; said motor, whereby to revolve said shaft, a gear mounted upon said shaft, a gear on said rod, and a train of gears communicating motion from the first named gear to the second named gear, whereby the revolution of the shaft will be communicated to said rod to revolve the forward conical end of the torpedo.

T. In a long range torpedo, a casing, a. forward conical end mounted to turn independently of said casing, a motor, av battery, a hollow shaft mounted in said motor, a rod extending through said hollow shaft, means for communicating the revolution of the hollow shaft to said rod, whereby to turn the forward conical end to propel the torpedo through the water.

8. In a long range torpedo, a motor, a hollow shaft mounted in said motor, a rod extending through said hollow shaft, and means for communicating the revolution of the hollow shaft to said rod, whereby to propel the torpedo through the water.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

JAMES S. JOHNSTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

